Statement on the War in Iraq

20 March 2003

by the WCC General Secretary20 March, 2003

With profound sorrow I recognize that the United States, the United Kingdomand Spain, three members of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, havegone to war against Iraq. They have done so without the consent of the UN SecurityCouncil, ignoring the voice of civil society, of the churches and of other faith communitiesin those countries and worldwide. I condemn this rush to unilateral militaryattack. Non-violent means to solve the conflict have been far from exhausted.Disarmament of Iraq could have been achieved without a war.

The pre-emptive military attack against Iraq is immoral, illegal and ill-advised.The WCC and its member churches repeatedly warned these powers that this warwill have grave humanitarian consequences, including loss of civilian life, largescaledisplacement of people, environmental destruction and further destabilizationof the whole region.

The implicit unilateralism, by the US, the UK and Spain, contradicts the spirit,ideal and prospect of multilateralism, the fundamental principles laid out in theUN Charter, and may damage hopes to create a strong international order in thepost-Cold War period. By relying on the right of the powerful, including the useof threat and economic pressure, to influence other states to support their action,these countries undermine the international rule of law that has taken half a centuryto construct.

The failure, however, does not lie with the UN, but with those governments thatchose to go outside of the Security Council. The international community mustclearly demonstrate, and remind those countries, that the UN Charter and multilateralresponsibility are expressions of a civilized, progressive and peaceful internationalorder and that the only sustainable response to terrorism is to achieverule of law, within the rule of law.

The fact that the sole superpower, together with old colonial powers of Europe,chose to go alone against a country with a Muslim majority is politically dangerous,culturally unwise and ignores the growing importance of religion and culturefor the political identification of many people. We fear that this war willonly confirm and aggravate stereotypes and, in many parts of the world, add toan image of the West marked by colonialism and crusades.

The military attack on Iraq comes at a point when the UN weapons inspectionswere working and the prospects for disarmament of Iraq with non-military meanswas growing considerably. I, therefore, deplore that the opportunity for disarmament,mandated by the UNSC Resolution 1441, has been lost with this unilateralmilitary attack. The UNMOVIC and IAEA inspectors were allowed into thecountry because the UN resolution could invoke military action. However, byputting themselves in a position from which war became inevitable, the US, theUK and Spain failed to exercise the basic responsibility that follows with the commissionof trust to serve on the UN Security Council.

 I strongly appeal to the Governments of the US, the UK and their supporters,to immediately cease all military activity in Iraq and return the full responsibilityof the disarmament of Iraq to the UN Security Council.

 I urge all governments to oppose this unilateral action and work for a ceasefire.

 I call on all parties to the conflict, including Iraq, to abide by human rightsobligation under international humanitarian law.

 I ask our member churches to come together to seek God's guidance and tocontinue theological reflections on the will of God for the world.

The response from churches against the war in Iraq has been an unprecedentedmanifestation of unanimity. The energy that has been released bears witness to aspirituality that calls for peaceful coexistence of all nations and peoples in accordancewith the principles enshrined in the UN Charter. That energy must not belost. Churches should continue their united efforts to stop the war, to give assistanceto those in need and to cooperate with people of other faiths, especiallyMuslims, to restore confidence and trust amongst the nations of the world.

As followers of Jesus Christ, when faced with death and destruction, we are remindedof his words: "I have come that you may have life and that you may have it inabundance". When violence is unleashed, fear for life and peace increase, but Goddoes not forget his people.

Though the mountains move and the hills shake,My love shall be immovable and never fail,And my covenant of peace shall not be shaken.So says the Lord who takes pity on you.(Isaiah 54:10)

At this time of repentance, the World Council of Churches prays for all the peoplewho will suffer in this war, as well as the soldiers and their families. Althoughthis is a day when diplomacy was rejected by some, our call for peace remains.

Any war comes at a high price of death of soldiers and civilians, destruction ofproperty and the environment, as well as division of people, governments andcultures. This war is no exception.